Grade:Six Grade Social Studies

Month: April


Main Concept

Eastern Europe:
Russia and the Eurasian Republics.



Guiding Questions




Theme/Content Skills


Key Terms

Vocabulary Words:
Landforms and Climates: permafrost, taiga, steppe, chromium
The Soviet Union Rises and Falls: reform czar, abdicate, totalitarian, purge, Cold War, perestroika, glasnost
Times of Change: light industry, heavy industry cosmonaut, displace



Holidays
  • Easter
  • Earth Day

Student Outcomes

  • Students will pose and answer questions about the landforms and climates in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
  • Students will explain the geographic factors responsible for population pattern in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
  • Students will identify and analyze ways people have modifies the physical environment in Russia and the Eurasian republics.
  • Students will analyze the historica background of the Soviet Union to evaluate relationships between past conflicts and current conditions.
  • Students will identify reasons for limiting the power of government.
  • Students will identiy examples of governments with rule by one, few, or many.
  • Students will describe characteristics of the countries of the CIS that resulted form historic events or factors.
  • Students will compare ways in which the countries of the CIS organize the production of goods and services.
  • Students will Learn how government functions in CIS.
  • Students will explain how opportunities for citizens to participate in and influence the political process vary among different societies.




Assessment/Project





Resources for Teachers

Books:
  • Around The World Pack - National Geographic - The Red Lantern Festival (A play based on a Chinese Folktale)
  • Around The World Pack - Scholastic - Culture Kit - China - Activities, Projects, and Map
  • Evan-Moor - Asia - Geography Unit ( Map skills, Overview of plants, animals, and people, Two-sided poster and reproducible pages.

Suggestions: Vocabulary words can be given as an introduction to each topic, or it can be given as homework after the introduction of each topic.

Text Books:
  • Steck-Vaugn Social Studies World Cultures Past and Present

Videos
  • Brainpop
http://www.brainpop.com/educators/state_standards/


Field Trip Suggestions
  • The Museum of Natural History - Asian Exhibits